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FTAA.sme/inf/87
August 12, 2003

Original: Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat

FTAA – CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON SMALLER ECONOMIES

CARICOM AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

HEMISPHERIC COOPERATION PROGRAM
PRESENTATION OF PROJECTS 


Introduction
 
  1. Project title
    Spanish, English, and Portuguese language programs and courses

  2. Background
    The main objective of the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas is to increase trade flows in an environment where different cultures and languages converge. Greater interaction between the countries of the Hemisphere is imperative through the greatest possible reduction of existing language barriers in order to advance the proposed objective. 


  3. Rationale

    The experts of the Dominican Republic and CARICOM states working in trade-related areas need to establish closer ties with experts who work for current and potential trading partners of the respective CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic.

     
  4. Objectives of the Project
    1. General

      To implement Spanish, English, and Portuguese language programs that will help develop our human resources’ language skills so as to ensure greater and better participation in the hemispheric integration process.

    2. Specific

      • To make available resources or cooperation to organize courses to improve Spanish, English, and Portuguese language skills (in the case of Portuguese, basic level courses could also be considered)

      • To provide three-month scholarships, as a minimum, to improve knowledge of Spanish, English, and Portuguese in countries where these are the official languages.

  5. Inputs: resources needed for the project
     

    1. Provide native speakers from these countries to teach the Spanish, English, and Portuguese language courses.

    2. Scholarships to improve Spanish, English, and Portuguese language skills through study in countries where these are the official languages.

     
  6. Expected results

    1. Contribution to the development of capacities.

    2. Enhanced communication and capacity to interact with members of the public and private sector in the Hemisphere who are involved in the trade negotiation process.
       
    3.  Improvement in trade relations with partners in the Hemipshere

     
  7. Other relevant information

    • In the case where donors contribute by providing teachers, the recipient countries would impart courses at various levels and undertake to provide the appropriate physical infrastructure (classrooms, materials, etc.) in their respective Diplomatic Schools.
      These courses would begin no later than the first quarter of 2003 and would only be open to persons involved in negotiations and foreign trade. No more than ten (10) students would be admitted per group.

    • To obtain a scholarship, the applicant must already have an intermediate-level command of the language of study. These scholarships will be channelled through the Vice Minister responsible for trade negotiations and will be awarded principally to experts participating in negotiations and institutions or organizations linked to foreign trade.
 
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